Great Debaters Soundtrack

That's What My Baby Likes by Sharon Jones, Alvin Youngblood Hart, and Teenie Hodges
Step It Up And Go by Alvin Youngblood Hart and The Carolina Chocolate Drops
My Soul Is A Witness by Alvin Youngblood Hart And Sharon Jones
The pre-1935 songs were hand picked by Denzel Washington for the various on camera scenes from over 1000 songs from the period. The tracks were produced by G. Marq Roswell and recorded largely at Memphis’ world-renowned Ardent Studios. “THE GREAT DEBATERS - MUSIC FROM & RECORDED FOR THE MOTION PICTURE” centers around Grammy Award-winning blues singer/guitarist Alvin ‘Youngblood’ Hart and Brooklyn-based soul sensation Sharon Jones, who are featured both as solo performers and in collaboration with The Carolina Chocolate Drops. Among the album’s many highlights is a version of the traditional “Step It Up and Go,” performed by Hart and legendary Hi Rhythm Section guitarist Teenie Hodges (Al Green, Ann Peebles). In addition, Hart unites with traditional African-American string band, the Carolina Chocolate Drops, for a series of songs, including a stunning take on Blind Willie Johnson’s “Nobody’s Fault But Mine” and the exciting Mississippi Sheiks hit, ‘Blood In My Eyes For You.” Elsewhere, Jones pairs with Memphis’ acclaimed community choir, Billy Rivers and the Angelic Voices of Faith, for soaring renditions of such classic spirituals as “We Shall Not Be Moved” and “Up Above My Head.” “THE GREAT DEBATERS - MUSIC FROM & RECORDED FOR THE MOTION PICTURE” also features jazz favorites like Duke Ellington’s “Delta Serenade,” performed by the esteemed New York-based big band, David Berger and the Sultans of Swing. The collection is rounded off by period recordings from such luminaries as Marian Anderson, Art Tatum, and the Delmore Brothers.
“THE GREAT DEBATERS - MUSIC FROM & RECORDED FOR THE MOTION PICTURE” was produced by G. Marq Roswell & Denzel Washington. G. Marq Roswell is known for his work as music supervisor on over 50 films. The album was recorded and mixed by Jeff Powell (Bob Dylan, Afghan Whigs, Stevie Ray Vaughan) Additional singers: Susan Marshall and Jackie Johnson were back-ground singers on the record. They were a big part of Two Wings, Up Above My Head, and We Shall Not Be Moved, and have sung backgrounds on well over a hundred records by Lenny Kravitz, Primal Scream, Mavis Staples, and Alvin Youngblood Hart to name a few.
G. Marq Roswell and Adam Swart are music supervisors at 35Sound. G. Marq and Adam were the music supervisors on ‘The Great Debaters,’ produced the tracks and the soundtrack album. They engage in all aspects of music supervision, music production research and clearances. They are currently finishing Universal Picture’s ‘Flash of Genius,’ starring Greg Kinnear. www.35sound.com
Youve got to feel it, is the first thing that comes from the mouth of seasoned soul singer Sharon Jones when asked what makes great music. Youve got to feeel it! In your bones, your heart, in everything and everywhere! And if youve ever been to a Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings show, you know you cant but help feel their music. From the rumble and grumble of thick funk jerking you to the dancefloor to the soaring soul guaranteed to make you sigh, one thing is for sure: Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings are legitimate heavy-hitters.
The Cosmic American Love Child Of Howlin Wolf and Link Wray!!! Known as a "musician's musician", his praises have been sung by everyone from Ben Harper to Brit guitar gods Eric Clapton & Mick Taylor. Since his 1996 debut recording, the all-acoustic BIG MAMA'S DOOR, Alvin Youngblood Hart has carried his musical message the world over. A devout follower of the 'no barriers' approach laid by veteran performers like Gatemouth Brown and the late great Doug Sahm, Alvin continues to defy the so- called purists.
The Carolina Chocolate Drops are a group of young African-American stringband musicians that have come to together to play the rich tradition of fiddle and banjo music in Carolinas piedmont. Rhiannon Giddens and Justin Robinson both hail from the green hills of the North Carolina Piedmont while Dom Flemons is native to sunny Arizona. Although we have diverse musical backgrounds, we draw our musical heritage from the foothills of the North and South Carolina. We have been under the tutelage of Joe Thompson, said to be the last black traditional string band player, of Mebane, NC and we strive to carry on the long standing traditional music of the black and white communities. Joes musical heritage runs as deeply and fluidly as the many rivers and streams that traverse our landscape. We are proud to carry on the tradition of black musicians like Odell and Nate Thompson, Dink Roberts, John Snipes, Libba Cotten, Emp White, and countless others who have passed beyond memory and recognition.
Acclaimed for their superior musicianship and a sound that is both sophisticated and earthy, the Sultans of Swing create a natural bridge from the great bands of the 1930s and ‘40s to hip 21st century jazz and swing audiences. This 16-piece band includes experienced veterans along with fiery young jazz musicians who have formed a powerful team that addresses the blues and swing with style.
Founded in 1979 by Gwendolyn Turner, the Angelic Voices of Faith's sole purpose is to render praises to God through singing. Consisting of approximately 45 members from different churches and denominations throughout Memphis, this group has become one of the most outstanding community choirs in the South.
Jim Fusilli of the Wall Street Journal: Best of 2007 Albums
The soundtrack to "The Great Debaters" (Atlantic) has the opposite effect. Alvin Youngblood Hart,Sharon Jones (yep, from the Dap-Kings), Teenie Hodges, the Carolina Chocolate Dropsand Billy Rivers & the Angelic Voices of Faith provide uplifting blues, gospel and soulmusic that will spring you from your seat. David Berger & the Sultans of Swing adddapper big-band jazz, and vintage tracks by Art Tatum and Marian Anderson round out an inspiring recording.
Hufffington Post: Grammy Preview: The Best CDs of 2007
This is like a night at a juke joint...if the juke joint happened to be jammed full of some of the best talent around. Jones (who has a cameo in the movie) sings everything from gospel to blues, with Alvin Youngblood Hart the prime mover and shaker, whether dueting with Jones or backed by the Carolina Chocolate Drops string band. Anyone adventurous enough to own the O Brother Where Art Thou soundtrack should run right out and pick this up. Now.
Chuck Arnold of People Magazine
(Four Stars) This excellent set boasts traditional blues, gospel and jazz selections hand-picked by Denzel Washington.